Jerry William Harper Sr., 67, of Danville, beloved husband, father and grandfather, quietly and unexpectedly left this life Saturday, Nov. 21, at his home in Danville.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, at New Life Christian Church, 2105 N. Bowman, Danville, with Doug Knapp officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Pape Memorial Home, 10 E. Williams St., Danville. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Autism Society of America, 7910 Woodland Avenue-Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Jerry was the loving and faithful son of William Louis and Mary Elizabeth (Cook) Harper. Born on June 29, 1942 in Danville, he attended Hillery and Diamond grade schools and Oakwood High School, graduating in 1960. He was baptized as a child at Lone Oak Church of Christ, where he and his parents attended. Jerry served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Saratoga and the USS Lake Champlain. He was on board the USS Lake Champlain when they retrieved the Freedom 7 capsule carrying Alan Shepherd.
He later went on to work at Eureka Printing, Hyster and R & S Printing for 16 years. He owned Harper Well Drilling for 35 years until his retirement in 2005. Jerry served as Oakwood volunteer assistant fire chief in the ‘70s, and helped to raise funds for a new fire truck.
Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Judith Ann (Knapp) Harper, on March 30, 1964. They have shared their lives for 45 years. Survivors include his beloved wife, Judy; five children, Jerry (Jane) Harper Jr. of Fithian, Catherine Harper of Danville, Brian (Andrea) Harper of Nashville, N.C., David (Tammy) Harper of Danville and Christian (Michelle) Harper of Danville; three siblings, Jane Harper, Phillip (Judy) Elliott of Spartanburg, S.C., and Mary Ellen Sencl of Munster, Ind.; 14 grandchildren, Justin and Jennifer Harper, Erin, Reed, Will, and Aden Collins, Christopher Harper, Ashley, Mitchell, Mikayla, and Rhett Harper, Bailey Carpenter, Ethan and Eli Harper; and one great-granddaughter due on March 30, 2010.
He is also survived by his aunt, Patricia (Leon) Graves; special brothers-in-law, John and Dale Knapp of Danville, and Michael Knapp of Champaign; and daughters of his heart, Carrie Adams of Georgetown and Gayle Witsman of Danville.
He was a gentle, loving and generous man who will be deeply and eternally missed by all. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved niece, Judy Harper.
Guest register: www.papemortuary.com
